Cigarette-case



(No Model.) 7

' F. S. KINNEY. CIGARETTE OASE.

No. 406,652. Patented July 9, 1889 InyeroZZ r:

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANCIS s. KINNEY, F PEQUANAO, NEW JERSEY.

CIGARETTE-CASE.

SPECIFICATidN forming part of Letters Patent No. 406,652, dated July 9, 1889.

Application filedMay 12, 1887.

$erial No. 237,934. (No model.)

- scribed and represented in the following specification and the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the same. I

This invention relates to a box or case which is designed for'use in putting up packages of cigarettes tor the retail t-rade,it being the object of the invention to'provide a case of this character which shall present an attractive appearance, and from which the packages of cigarettes can be conveniently discharged as they are sold.

As a full understandingof the invention can be best given by describing the construction and manner of using the case embodying it, all further preliminary description will be omitted and a full description given, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a perspective view of the case. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of the same. Fig. 3 is a similar view illustrating the manner of discharging the packages from the case. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section taken at right angles to Figs. 2 and 3, illustrating a modification which will hereinafter be explained. Figs. 5 and 6 are crosssec'tions taken, respectively, on the lines a: so and y y of Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is a partial plan view of the case, illustrating another modification; and Fig. 8 is a partial longitudinal section of the same.

Referring to said figures, it is to be understood that the case A is of rectangular form and of sufficient size to receive the proper number-say ten or more-of the packages of cigarettes a when arranged in a single row,

as shown.

The case is closed at one end bya permanent end piece, and after it has received. its

contents it is closed at its opposite end by a removable end piece I), which just fits into the end of the case, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, this piece I) being retained in position in any suitable manner-preferably by a band or label 0 passing around the case.

The end of the case next to the piece I) is provided upon two of its opposite sides with inwardly-projecting and yielding pressurepieces (1, which press against the sides of the package a at that end of the case sufficiently to prevent it from falling or being removed from the case except when pressure is applied.

The case having been filled with a row of the packages 01., the end piece I) will be inserted over the last package and secured in that position by the band or label 0. The case is then in condition to be supplied to the retail dealer. When it is required to remove the packages a from the case as they are sold, the band 0 will be broken at the corners and the end piece I) removed from the end of the case,

.apply pressure from behind, so as to move them past the pieces and out of the case. This can be done in a variety of ways. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the opposite end of the case is provided with a small opening f, through which a plunger 0 can be inserted, so as to move the row of packages forward and eject the one at the front end, as shown in Fig. 3. This plunger may be made espe cially for the purpose, as shown; or an ordinary lead-pencil may be used for the purpose, or any other article which is of convenient size and shape. This forms the simplest means of ejecting the packages from the case; but, if preferred, the case may be provided with a permanent plunger or ejector for that purpose, as illustrated in Figs. 4 to 6. In this construction the case is provided along its edges with two longitudinal slots or openings g, through which is passed a rod or plunger 0,

j the ends of which are provided with knobs or heads 71, to preventit frombeing removed from the slots and to aifor d a convenientmeans for grasping it. By moving this rod or plunger 0 along the slots 9 the packages at can be moved along the case, so as to eject them one by one past the piece (1. The band or label a may in this case be arranged to cover the slots 9, in which case it will readily be torn away as the plunger is advanced in the slots.

As shown in Figs. 1to56, the pressure-pieces (l are formed of light metal springs secured It is necessary,

on the inside of the case. The form of these pressure pieces may, however, be varied widely without departing from the invention. One modification that may be made in these pieces is illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, in which the pieces are shown as formed of lips d, cut from the material of the case and bent inward, the lips being re-enforced at their backs by additional pieces '6 and maintained in contact with the package at the end of the row by means of an elastic band 70, which is passed around the end of the case; or any other suitableformof springpressure-piecesmaybeused Without departing from the essential features of the invention. It is also to be understood that in some cases only one of the pressurepieces need be employed. 7

hat I claim is- 1. The herein-described case for packages of cigarettes, having the removable end piece b, the pressure piece or pieces 01, and an opening or openings arranged to receive a plunger in position to act upon the innermost package, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with the case A, having the removable end piece I) and slots g, of the plunger 0, extending through it and adapted to move in the slots, substantially as described. g I

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRANCIS S. KINNEY.

lVitnessesr' EDWARD T. SMITH, ROBERT F. WISEMAN. 

